Guess what. In about 2 weeks I'll have a birthday that brings me closer to 40. While I still have about 1 year and some months before I turn 40, knowing that big number is coming has me thinking about my current health & fitness state. A health and fitness state that needs some attention.

Please Note: As one of #QuakerInsiders I received a Quaker Innovations Box for review purpose and another as a giveaway prize. Any personal views expressed are always 100% my own.

Somewhere along the line I became a busy mom. A mom to busy to eat healthy, get enough exercise and full 8 hours of sleep. Sadly this mean I'm opening the door for nutrition-related problems like diabetes or heart disease, the leading killer of women over the age of 25 in the United States. Oh no!

Now, I need to start taking charge of my health and fitness before problems start! One of the simplest ways I can get started is by returning to a healthy eating routine.

I'm excited to share that a few months ago I became a Quaker Insiders and received a Quaker Innovations Gift Box filled with 7 new products including

Quaker Chocolate Chip Instant Oatmeal

Quaker Whole Hearts Oat Cereal

Quaker Oatmeal Squares Crunchy Oat Cereal

Quaker Banana Nut Bread Soft Baked Bars

Quaker Stila Bars and Oat Cluster Bits

Quaker Yogurt Granola Bars

Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies

Ok, while I do confess that the Quaker Oatmeal Cookies (they finally have cookies!) helped me accept the offer, in all seriousness I accepted because I really do want to get back into a healthy routine. So how did my Quaker Innovations Gift Box help me do that?

I started my morning with the Quaker Whole Hearts cereal. The cute and deliciously oat hearts helped remind me I was starting my day with a heart-healthy choice.

During the day when I needed a snack I chose either the Quaker Soft Baked Bars - Banana Nut Bread, which has real bananas and almonds, or the Quaker Soft Baked Oatmeal Cookies - Raisins both of which are yummy PLUS good for me.

It felt good that I was making simple but healthy changes in my routine, while enjoying the items in Quaker Innovations Gift Box . Yes it helped that all the items tasted delicious. Just goes to show that eating healthy doesn't have to be difficult or tasteless. As my birthday get closer I feel better that I've started this first health change to my lifestyle.

What about you? Do you also feel its time to start making a simple healthy change to your routine? Great!